Absa Premiership
Result: Bloemfontein Celtic 0-1 Maritzburg United
Date: 23 September 2018
Venue: Dr Molemela Stadium
Steve Komphela suffered his first defeat as head coach of Bloemfontein Celtic, as they went down 1-0 to Maritzburg United on Sunday afternoon.
Following a delayed start after Celtic’s Patrick Tignyemb was ordered to change his socks by the match officials, the visitors drew first blood from the get go.
A ball behind the defence from Fortune Makaringe connected with Bandile Shandu to slot past an on-rushing Tignyemb in the opening minute.
It nearly became two for Maritzburg after a defensive mishap allowed Brian Onyango to take a shot off a loose ball only to see his effort cleared off the line.
The home side tried to get back in the equation, but a rushed effort from outside the box by Tshegofatso Mabaso didn’t aid their cause one bit.
Surprisingly, the away outfit made all the earlier breakthrough after finding countless amount of spaces behind the Celtic defence.
The chances though continued to come up for Siwelele, and Mabaso was at the end of another chance after 30 minutes, but was unable to keep his effort down from close range.
After six minutes, a free-kick from Keletso Makgalwa found the head of Yannick Zakri who failed to find the target with a wayward header.
In the second half, the Team of Choice returned with a change after Deolin Mekoa replaced Zakri whilst Siwelele presented the same line-up.
The earlier chance fell to United after Andrea Fileccia combined with Shandu who lost his marker before placing his effort wide of the right hand post.
In the midst of the pressure, Celtic managed to pick up the pieces and after gaining possession, Tebogo Potsane ended up shooting straight at Richard Ofori.
The visitors weren’t content with their narrow lead and Fileccia tried given them a two-goal cushion, but shot wide from close range.
Substitute Given Mashikinya was handed the best chance to found the leveller for Siwelele, but his high-poke effort was cleared off the line.
Late in added time, the home side continued firing blanks as Lorenzo Gordinho sent a cross from out wide off target as Celtic saw their unbeaten run ended.
Here's how they lined up:
Celtic: 30. Tignyemb, 19. Sam, 22. Rikhotso, 27. Ndengane, 10. Mabena, 18, Mashikinya, 50. Masuku, 25. Gordinho, 4. Dlamini, 8. Phalane, 17. Mabasa.
Subs: 34. Dambe, 35. Baloyi, 3. Pfumbidzai, 11. Potsane, 20. De Jongh, Nyundu, 13. Letsoalo.
Maritzburg: 31. Ofori, 3. Sanoka, 25. Xulu, 23. De Reuck, 36. Kunene, 26. Shandu, 11. Makaringe, 5. Onyango, 7. Makgalwa, 44. Zakri, 9. Feliccia.
Subs: 1. Mpandle, 22. Mokate, 4. Allie, 17. Figareido, 28. Mekoa, 6. Thlone, Masegela.
